I learned much of this information about our outside crosses from Pat Dare and the late Dr. Harold Anderson, shortly after my arrival at St. Thomas in 1999.

Looking at the line drawing of our church that we use in some publications and on our website, I saw that the cross shown on top of the church looks a lot like the one between the parking lot and Cowans Hall, and hardly like the one we see atop the church today. This raised two possibilities in my mind — either the cross had been moved from the roof, or it was going to be moved to the roof at some future time. It turns out the first guess was more correct.

The cross that is now in the garden area between the parking lot and Cowans Hall was originally at the top of our church roof.

In the early winters after our church was built, the rains came and the winds blew, and the worshippers got wet. It seems that the large cross was acting like a sail, catching the full force of the storm winds from the South and causing the building to flex, allowing water flowing down the high window to run inside and land on the people and seats and floor and whatever else was below.

So the big cross was taken down, replaced by the smaller one we have up there today.

For some time, the big cross rested against the fence at the back of the Bible garden. Then a plan was conceived to put it where it is today. There are lights at the base of the installation, and the cross is quite beautiful seen lighted at night. It was interesting to me find the cross unlighted between approximately the time of Harold Anderson’s death and his memorial service — it seems appropriate, and yet I’ve been told it’s purely coincidental.

—John Buck

Made by a foundry in San Jose and given by Violet Titmus.

Dave Campbell had two Jerusalem crosses made from the same mold as the ones on the church doors and made this plaque. The other cross was given to Bill Cowans on his retirement when Cowans Hall was renamed in his honor.

It was designed by Keith Boyle, "to signify masculinity"
[Palo Alto Times photo caption, 3/24/67], and built by Rudolph Schmidt

On Ash Wednesday night, 2/13/02, after the service, I heard from Fran Hostettler and Nancy Aderhold a story about how a minor earthquake caused this cross to start swinging -- during the memorial service for the man who had made it.

It’s hollow, so it isn’t as heavy as it might look to you.

— John Buck

The crosses in the mobile over the organ are miniature versions of the cross that hangs over our altar.

This colorful mobile was made by Rector-emeritus Bill Cowans.

Our Choir Cross is a Jerusalem Cross made by Bill Cowans.

It and two other crosses (a processional cross and a crucifer cross) are at the back of our church.

A processional cross, wrapped in purple for Lent.

Behind our pulpit is this crucifix.

Given by Robert Sayer, who wanted a crucifix in the church, when the church was built.

One of the 15 Stations of the Cross on the outside of our mystery screens.

The Stations were given by Carol and Dave Campbell, in memory of Herbert Gardner.

This cross, behind the Resurrection Chapel altar, was made by Rector-emeritus Bill Cowans.

The applique crosses are on our children’s altar which was made by Bill Lloyd.

This cross hangs above Resurrection Chapel’s credence table.

Given by Judy Burdick when she moved to Nipomo.

This crucifix is in our Chapel of the Resurrection.

If you know more about this crucifix—how we got it, when, etc.—please let us know.

This cross was found in our sacristy.

“SAMS” stands for “South American Missionary Society”. A weblink for the Parks is at:

This cross was our on office hallway.

Made by Richard Alyanak, as part of his Eagle Scout project.

NOTE: Sometime during the night of April 8, 2002, someone broke into the church office. In addition to other things, they took this cross from the hall, out through the west door and broke it. As of April 10, 2002, we don't know if the cross will be displayed again, restored or not.

Our Logo

Designed by The Rev. Canon Eckford J. deKay.

Given by Bill Cowans on his retirement, 1994.

The original is located on the south (kitchen) side of the center beam in Cowans Hall.

The belt encircling the shield provides the name of the parish and the year in which it was founded. The spear in the center of the cross symbolizes the instrument by which St. Thomas the patron was martyred for his faith and the red of the shield symbolizes his martyrdom. The fish is an ancient symbol for Christ and it occupies the honored place on the cross. It also refers to the founding of the Sunnyvale FISH and other outreach programs such as Our Daily Bread. The carpenter’s square on the top left quadrant of the shield honors St. Thomas' works as founder and builder of the Church in eastern India. The sun in the top right quadrant of the shield has dual symbolism, showing that St. Thomas' Parish is a member of the Diocese of El Camino Real whose arms bear a gold California sun on a red chief; it also symbolizes the City of Sunnyvale. The hands of Christ in the base of the shield honor "Thomas the Doubter" who when he beheld the sacred wounds was the first Apostle to openly declare, "My Lord and my God."

The library bookmark was designed in 1982 by Pete Harris

Remember, the library has a good selection of books on crosses and symbols. Stop by to see the display.

— Carol Campbell